Sterling man charged for allegedly stealing from burned-down home

Arrested for vehicle theft later the same day

STERLING -- A man was charged with theft and burglary Monday for allegedly stealing items from a burned-down home on Friday. He was further charged with first-degree motor vehicle theft for an incident later on the same day.

John Contreras, 48, of Sterling, allegedly went to the house of the Graham family in Sterling, which burned down in early December, and stolen undisclosed items valued between $500 and $1,000.

The court didn't discuss the ties, if any, Contreras had to the home.

District Attorney Brittny Lewton told the court the defendant had an "extremely lengthy" criminal history, with 16 pages in Colorado cases alone, in which he's faced charges from assault to theft and criminal mischief.

"It is completely clear that he has the propensity to one: break into things such as cars and homes, two: steal those things... and three: fail to appear for court," Lewton said.

She added that Contreras had later been contacted by law enforcement after a hit-and-run vehicle crash that had knocked out a stop sign, and had allegedly lied about his involvement in the crash and his possession of weapons -- a broken knife and a non-working pistol. Contreras was also allegedly found with less than two grams of methamphetamine when officers contacted him.

The court didn't discuss the condition of the vehicle --a white van -- who the vehicle was stolen from or how it was stolen.

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District Judge Charles Hobbs granted a $45,000 bond for Contreras, though he told the court he wouldn't be able to pay for bond, whatever the amount.

Contreras faces 12 charges over his two cases, and will reappear for a status conference Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.

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